New Training Program

Following on from yesterday's Modpack Update, we are today starting the first stage of our new training program. A number of sessions on various topics will be made available in the coming months, but we are starting with mandatory Convoy and Medical re-training for all members, the details of which can be found below. This new training program will also form the basis for issuing the often confusing PFC rank going forward.

The Roster

First of all a quick look at the Training Roster. This roster displays each member with a list of their training "badges" and a points tally calculated based on a value we assign to each badge. A dropdown box at the top of the page allows members to narrow down the list to those with a specific badge - useful for Zeuses who are looking for a qualified pilot for their operation.

Points, PVTs and PFCs

The points tally that is displayed on this roster has been implemented to help us solve a long standing problem with the PFC rank. While we have only ever issued CPL tags and above to members who assist in the running of our community, PFC was intended as a way to reward members who we've felt exemplify what we want from a member. Unfortunately this has always been hard to define.

Alongside this, it has always been difficult to get attendance in training sessions without some kind of incentive. So we decided to make training a requirement for issuing the PFC rank to members - when a member acquires a specific number of points (yet to be finalised), they will be issued PFC. Please note however, that this part of the program is not yet active, in part because it isn't attainable until all of the new training sessions are available.

Furthermore, when most (if not all) of the sessions are available, we plan to introduce a points requirement for PVTs as well. The idea behind this is to encourage every recruit to learn at least 1 topic in addition to the four required "bootcamp" topics. Existing PVTs will be "grandfathered" in to the new points requirements.

Convoy and Medical Re-Training

Starting today, all members will be required to take part in Convoy and Medical. This is due in part to mistakes and missing elements in prior training of these topics, and in part due to changes in the modpack. Upon completion of these two topics, members will also be issued the badges for Formations and Radio, which have remained largely unchanged since their inception.

A number of sessions have been scheduled over the next week and take around an hour. Members should check the event board for dates and times, however all sessions have a soft-cap of 12 members, so please comment on the event if you are planning to attend.

Flight School

Other than Convoy and Medical, the only other training actively ongoing is Flight School. All pilots have already been issued their respective badges on the new training roster, replacing the roster in the forum post.

Most pilots should already be aware that the modpack update yesterday has changed the flight models and weapon systems across most aircraft. In order to maintain the high quality of our pilots despite these regular changes, going forward pilots will now be required to attend at least one session every 3 months.

Future Training

Over the next few months we will be starting up training in other topics. Land navigation, vehicle ID and mortars are expected to amongst the first, with others expected further down the line. Armor will also be getting a flight school-esque training program, however this is likely to arrive after all other sessions.

FAQ

Where can I find available sessions?
Check the Steam event board.

How are sessions scheduled?
Sessions are scheduled based on when training staff are available to run them.

Can I request an instructor to do a one-on-one session with me?
No. We do not want instructors being asked by people to do individual sessions. Every session run by an instructor is done on their free time. While it may only take an hour to train 12 people, it would take 12 hours to train them individually.

But what if I can't attend any of the sessions scheduled?
Talk to [2LT.] Jessar or [SGT.] Mintberry Buddha and see if they can organise a session at a time suitable for you.

Is there any limit to the number of people who can attend a session?
It depends on the training session so please read the event post. The mandatory Convoy and Medical training has a soft-cap of 12 members per-session, so please reserve your spot in the comments.

If Formation and Radios are not being re-trained, why do I not have the badge already?
Because updating 60+ members records in one go is a task nobody wants.

What exactly has changed in Convoys training?
Due to a misunderstanding between staff, Convoys was taught incorrectly for about a year. Despite this, everyone could use a general refresher on the procedures around convoys as we've been terrible recently.

What exactly has changed in Medical training?
We have new training regards morphine use, blood viscocity, triage and corpsman priorities. Furthermore, yesterday's update changed the bandage efficiency to values that we believe offer a better understanding and gameplay mechanic for members. The training covers all of this. Additionally, we believe some members may have missed corpsman training when they were recruits.

But I was taught to do X that way?
Doesn't matter, we do X this way now. Training is a fluid topic and has to be regularly updated.

What are the points awarded for each badge?
The badges are given a value of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 based on their value to the community. The specifics have yet to be finalised.

What are the PVT and PFC points requirements?
We have yet to decide exactly what they will be. For PVT it will likely be the bootcamp topics plus an additional topic. For PFC it will likely be a value that we feel best balances the amount of effort required with the possibility to reasonably attain it.

Will PFC be awarded automatically or require an application?
Yet to be decided. Details will be made available when we feel the program has progressed to the point where we can have PFCs again.

Will roles beside pilots be limited to those who've completed training?
Yes, some but not all training topics will be required to assume certain roles. Armor crew, snipers and mortar teams are amongst those that may be limited to trained members in future. Until the relevant training sessions are available though, they remain open to all.

Can members lose badges they have acquired?
Yes, no badge is awarded "for life". If a training topic is significantly changed by new gameplay mechanics, members may be asked to re-take it. Members who demonstrate a complete failure in an aspect covered by training may also be asked to re-take the training.

Will I be getting removed from the group if I don't attend Convoy and Medical?
Not anytime soon. While it is mandatory, we are going to give everyone plenty of time to attend the sessions. Any members who don't attend will be given plenty of warning and chances to attend training before we even consider removal.

I'm a pilot. I last attended Flight School in July, will I lose my grade today?
No. All pilots will be tracked from today as a starting point. You have until 1st March 2018 to attend a session. But due to the changes in yesterday's modpack update, you should try to attend a session before flying in an operation.

Will I be getting removed from the group if I don't meet the PVT points requirement?
This is at least two months away from being implemented. However, existing members will be given considerable time to meet the PVT points requirements (when we implement it). Again, there will be a long period before any action is taken on this front.

What is different between training this time and when we last did it?
That's two questions. Firstly, each topic covered has a defined training area on the BWI Training template, with slideshows detailing the topic and practice areas already setup. Unlike prior attempts at training, this will ensure a sessions take little to no preparation to run and that they teach a consistent curriculum.

When will X topic be offered for training?
No idea. This program is a collaborative effort between the training, video and tech departments. There is a lot of back and forth between the departments as we develop the tools, videos and content needed to cover them. It takes a lot of time and is hard to predict.

Is leadership training going to be covered by this?
Unknown. Leadership remains a topic that we find difficult to train people on.

My question isn't answered here?
Ask it on Slack.